Holmes County Sheriff defends ICE Partnership during Commission

Holmes County Sheriff John Tate addressed concerns from a local resident Monday night regarding the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office participation in a federal immigration enforcement partnership.

During the March 2 meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners, Holmes County resident Kelley Peak spoke during public comment and questioned the county’s involvement in the federal 287(g) program, which allows specially trained local deputies to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with certain immigration enforcement functions.

Peak expressed concern that the county’s participation in the program and the arrest of undocumented immigrants could have a negative impact on the local community.

The discussion comes shortly after the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office received nearly $25,000 in state reimbursement funding to support agencies participating in expanded immigration enforcement efforts. The funding is intended to offset costs associated with additional duties tied to the program.

Following the comments, Tate responded to the concerns, emphasizing that cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies has long been standard practice for the sheriff’s office.

“Throughout my entire career, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has worked hand-in-hand with our federal partners – DEA, FBI, ATF – without controversy,” Tate said. “Cooperation between local and federal law enforcement has always been about one thing: public safety.”

Tate said the only difference with the current partnership is the federal agency involved.

“Now that we have entered into a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, suddenly there is criticism,” he said. “The only difference is the federal agency involved. That raises a serious question about consistency.”

The sheriff also stressed that deputies enforce laws based on criminal behavior rather than an individual’s background.

“We do not enforce the law based on race, ethnicity, or background. We enforce behavior,” Tate said. “If someone commits a crime in Holmes County, they will be held accountable, whether they were born here or not.”

According to Tate, since July the sheriff’s office has arrested nine individuals who were in the country unlawfully. He said each of those arrests stemmed from criminal violations, including probation violations, driving offenses such as operating without a valid or suspended license, and possession of controlled substances.

“These were criminal cases, not random stops,” Tate said.

He explained that the sheriff’s office does not actively target undocumented individuals but instead notifies ICE when someone already arrested for a crime is determined to be in the country unlawfully.

“We are not targeting anyone,” Tate said. “However, if during the course of lawful enforcement we discover someone is in the country illegally, ICE is notified. That is cooperation the same cooperation we extend to every other federal agency.”

Tate also addressed concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers, noting that agencies participating in the program are eligible for reimbursement from state and federal sources.

“As of today, the only cost incurred by HCSO has been housing the nine individuals we arrested,” Tate said. “That is minimal compared to the approximately 180 inmates we house daily. There has been no extraordinary burden placed on our local taxpayers.”

Tate concluded his remarks by reiterating that the sheriff’s office will continue to prioritize public safety.

“Our responsibility is clear: protect the citizens of Holmes County,” he said. “That is what we will continue to do… professionally, lawfully, and without bias.”